Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay

Pop by Esplanade at any time and you’ll find it hard not to be infected by its palpable creative vibe, whether it’s the ever-changing larger than life display near the main entrance or the world-class performances that are staged here.

The shows on offer cut across cultures and genres. You can catch a concert by Western greats such as The New York Philharmonic Orchestra or a Chinese play inspired by the late doyen of Singapore Chinese theatre Kuo Pao Kun.

Fondly nicknamed "the Durian” by Singaporeans for its resemblance to the popular fruit here, Esplanade holds a 1,600-seat Concert Hall, a 2,000-seat Theatre and several more intimate performance venues, which have been the setting for high-profile events such as the Singapore Arts Festival.

Free programmes, from music and dance to theatre, also regularly take place at various locations around Esplanade.

Shopping and dining

Before you attend a performance, how about a pre-show dinner or a coffee at one of the restaurants or cafes at Esplanade’s three-storey mall? And you can squeeze in a quick spot of shopping at the retail outlets, picking up goods as diverse as customised hand lotions, or maybe a guitar or two.

If you wish to explore the complex further, take the Esplanade Walk, a 45-minute guided tour that walks you through the Concert Hall, Theatre and other front-of-house facilities. The tour will give you an understanding of the venue’s acoustics, its architecture and history, as well as its contribution to Singapore’s art scene.